Throughout the SEC East, backup quarterbacks have been forced into action due to injuries suffered by starters. It happened to Missouri on Saturday when Kelly Bryant sustained a knee injury. Mizzou coach Barry Odom said backup QB Taylor Powell was ready to step in.

“He played really well, played within the scheme,” Odom said on the weekly SEC media teleconference. “He has always practiced and prepared as he is the starter and he played and executed well.”

Bryant’s expected to be fine and described himself as being at “90 percent” this week, but Odom is confident in Powell if he has to make another unexpected appearance.

That’s why the preparation of the QB position is so important,” Odom said. “If you lose your No. 1 guy, the offense has still got to go on, you can’t just change everything due to one injury. If his number is called again, (Powell) will answer the call.”

Bryant should be good to go on Saturday when Mizzou takes on Ole Miss. The Tigers and Rebels don’t play often under the SEC’s cross-division rotation model, but Odom is familiar with Ole Miss coach Matt Luke.

“I’ve gotten to know him really well,” Odom said Wednesday. “In the late 90s, we represented our schools at an NCAA event… we were there for seven days and we helped put on a clinic… We go way back and have caught up… I’ve known him for a long time, respect him and his players and he is leaving his mark on that program.”